Kim.

One of 20 hors commerce copies . with 15 supplementary plates and two extra suites of all the illustrations.

Set in the period between the second and third Afghan Wars (therefore 1893-1898), Kim was first published in 1900-1901, with this French translation first appearing in 1902. Unfolding against the backdrop of the political conflict between Russia and Great Britain in Central Asia, the novel popularised the term 'The Great Game'.

The charming illustrations were engraved and printed by the painter and printer François-Louis Schmied (1873–1941), who was of Swiss origin. After attracting fame with his engravings for a 1919 edition of The Jungle Book, Schmied turned his attention to producing expensive, luxurious works in limited editions.

limited edtion, number 17 of 20 hors commerce, out of a total of 160 copies, 4 vols; 4to (31.5 x 26.5 cm). 276 pp.; 272 pp. with 15 colour plates, including frontispiece, and 15 chapter heading vignette illustrations and initials, all cut in wood and printed in colour by F. L. Schmied with 15 supplementary plates not called for in index and two extra suites of all the illustrations, one in colour, one in monochrome; original wrappers protected by chemises and slipcase; slipcase slightly rubbed, with one joint starting to split.

Buyssens, no 43.